Thread: Any DS Owners?

I have to say; I've always been curious about the 2 DS amps. I liked the 300.2 well enough; and by all the things I've read...the DS is a BIG step forward.

Saw a deal, on a 450...and took it! More power than I needed really; but I ain't complaining

What a beast! It absolutely dwarfs my Oppo DAC



Now I need an ARC pre-amp. The Oppo is actually not bad; but the FACT 3/DS-450 combo...is wayyy too revealing, to let this slide.

Any other DS owners in the tank?

I had a DS-450. A terrific value. Mates very well with the ARC LS-27 or, even better, the Ref 5SE. I had both pres.

Originally Posted by Ritmo

I had a DS-450. A terrific value. Mates very well with the ARC LS-27 or, even better, the Ref 5SE. I had both pres.

Hell Mike; I'd be happy to find a 26 right about now. Just not sure I can swing it...don't see one; and I know I can't swing a 27 just yet.

I see a 16 mkII, and a 25 mkI. Of course, I guess it's a classic conundrum...for ARC fans: newer-gen "1", or older gen "2"?

In this case in particular...normally, the reputation the 6H30-based 16 mkII; the fact that it's a pretty linear, solid-state kinda tube...wouldn't put me off. But with the DS-450 being a switching unit and all; I'm wondering if the 25 mkI...which I believe, is the last of the 6922-based circuits...isn't the way to go?

Certainly gives you more options to roll. Then again...I could just buy my bud's PrimaLuna Prologue Premium; and wait for the "right" 26 or 27 to come along. It's a solid plan; the only thing that gives me pause, is I've read the DS-450 really sings...run balanced. The PL is single-ended only.

Ringing my hands sharks; help!

If you can swing the LS-25 Mk I, I think that would the way to go. The last of the non-reference pres with the 6922 tube as you say, so will give you a little bit more (not much) of the older ARC sound which was somewhat less neutral than their pres in the modern line up (which started with the LS-26 and Ref 3 with the 6H30 tube). As you say, way more options to tube roll and customize the sound to your prefs

Good luck.

What about this little gem ?

Originally Posted by cmalak

If you can swing the LS-25 Mk I, I think that would the way to go. The last of the non-reference pres with the 6922 tube as you say, so will give you a little bit more (not much) of the older ARC sound which was somewhat less neutral than their pres in the modern line up (which started with the LS-26 and Ref 3 with the 6H30 tube). As you say, way more options to tube roll and customize the sound to your prefs

Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback Cyril. Let me try and extrapolate though: if the idea is to move up the ARC ladder...26, 27, Ref; aren't I going to get to a 6H30 tube sooner or later? Or are you saying...LS-25 mkI, might be the way to go over ALL of them?

I'm assuming since you have a Ref 3 yourself, you can't be advocating that But maybe the linear 6H30 tube is OK with ARC tube amps; but for the switching DS-450, a little more old-school warmth?

Just curious.

Originally Posted by highEndguy

What about this little gem ?

Sure...can't swing a 27; but put me down for a couple of SP-20s

Originally Posted by CDLehner

Thanks for the feedback Cyril. Let me try and extrapolate though: if the idea is to move up the ARC ladder...26, 27, Ref; aren't I going to get to a 6H30 tube sooner or later? Or are you saying...LS-25 mkI, might be the way to go over ALL of them?

I'm assuming since you have a Ref 3 yourself, you can't be advocating that But maybe the linear 6H30 tube is OK with ARC tube amps; but for the switching DS-450, a little more old-school warmth?

Just curious.

Keep in mind I have not heard the DS series amps but going off reviews/commentary I have read and Mike's (Ritmo's) descriptions of it, I am guessing a little more romance and customizability with the tube rolling options of the 6922 might stand you in better stead than the quite neutral LS-26/27 pres in combination with the DS amp. As for the Ref 3/5/5SE, I think if you can swing upgrading to one of these, I would do that no matter what as I think you get more of everything with whatever ARC amp they are pared with (more resolution, more 3 dimensionality, better imaging/staging, and better dynamics). You will lose a bit of transparency and resolution with the LS-25 Mk I as compared to the LS-26 and certainly the LS-27 but I am postulating it might be a more pleasing match. Obviously if you can demo the pres before you buy that would be the best way to choose and I am only 1 opinion of many .

Good luck and let us know what you decide

Well...a new contender popped-up today; a 15. Initially...even though the price was certainly right; I was like "I can do better than that".

But a quick Google of opinions, and it seems ARC guys give it pretty good marks. One guy...who had owned a 16 and 25; even said he preferred the 15.

Obviously...MMMV; but beggars can't be choosers, in this case

Well Sharks...the 15 is in place, and I have to say; for the price...I couldn't be happier. You know...I'm a guy that likes an "updated" look, as much as anyone. But one of the things that strikes me...about this nearly 20 year-old model; is that it doesn't look outdated! I guess that's the one advantage...of ARC never changing their design.

But enough about the looks, right? It sounds delightful. I've had a few tube pre-amps; 3 C-Js, a VTL, a Belles, a PL...an SP16L. Hard for me to find just the right balance, between good tube weight...without being overly rich and ripe for my tastes. The VTL 2.5 was my previous fav; and I have to say, the 15 comes pretty close.

Makes me really wonder, if a move up the ladder...and to a 6H30-based circuit; is the right move...especially with the somewhat lean DS-450. As opposed to...a more-linear 6H30 pre-amp, with a Ref 75; is likely heaven.

Of course...like a typical 'phile; as soon as I find something I like...it makes me want "better", lol

But I think I definitely want to stay 6922-based for now; so I think that just leaves me a 16 and a 25 mkI. I know the vote before, was for a 25 mkI...and I've got my eyes peeled. In the opinion of the group...would the 16 really offer any perceivable upgrade?

Lastly...what about tweaks? 6922s that Sharks like (it came with JAN Philips, and I'm leaning GL or Siemens A-frames for rolling)? Anyone played around with caps?

Congrats CD! Glad you are pleased.

ARCLIFE !!!!

Congrats

Congrats CD

Nice Chris! As a long time owner of the SP-11 until recently, those older ARC top tier preamps are no slouches. The SP-11 (and I'd imagine the SP-15 as well) seem to certainly hold their own with many modern offerings IMO.

I personally rolled EH Gold pin 6922, ARC branded German (Siemens?) and the factory issued Sovtek in the SP-11. All were fantastic but I preferred the ARC branded German tubes purchased from a fellow on Agon that had a slug of ARC factory tubes a few years back.

Originally Posted by highEndguy

ARCLIFE !!!!

Congrats

Yeah...as a 'phile, that tom-catted around gear-wise; it feels like I've found "the one", and am happy to marry ARC.

Originally Posted by MikeCh

Nice Chris! As a long time owner of the SP-11 until recently, those older ARC top tier preamps are no slouches. The SP-11 (and I'd imagine the SP-15 as well) seem to certainly hold their own with many modern offerings IMO.

I personally rolled EH Gold pin 6922, ARC branded German (Siemens?) and the factory issued Sovtek in the SP-11. All were fantastic but I preferred the ARC branded German tubes purchased from a fellow on Agon that had a slug of ARC factory tubes a few years back.

Thanks Mike. At this point, I might just wait until I stumble across a (black) 25 mkI; and start rolling. As I said before...I keep reading positive things about GLs in ARC, and it appears Siemens is a no-brainer.I wish I knew more about buying used, so I could get some CCa at a decent price. Maybe KT will do me a solid

anyone used the DSpre ? doesn`t seem to get much attention but looks very attractive s/h